Label printer

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a label printer, configured to hold the carrier tape with the labels in contact with the printhead, wherein the carrier tape is led between the printhead and a counter-element; a drive mechanism for the carrier tape having a driven carrier tape drawing roller; and at least one non-driven carrier tape pressure roller, associated with the carrier tape drawing roller, that is rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the carrier tape is led between the carrier tape drawing roller and the respective carrier tape pressure roller and is transported along a predefined carrier tape transport path. The respective carrier tape pressure roller is supported perpendicular to its rotational axis and in a displacement direction toward the carrier tape drawing roller, with a spring device being provided to exert a pressing force onto the carrier tape, said spring device preloading the respective carrier tape pressure roller in the displacement direction.

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No.19217609.7, filed Dec. 18, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

The invention relates to a label printer for printing labels applied toa carrier tape, in particular wound onto a roll, comprising a printheadand a counter-element to the printhead, which is configured to hold thecarrier tape with the labels in contact with the printhead, inparticular a driven print roller, wherein the carrier tape can be ledbetween the printhead and the counter-element; a drive mechanism for thecarrier tape having a driven carrier tape drawing roller that is inparticular supported in a fixed position and that is rotatable about anaxis of rotation; and at least one non-driven carrier tape pressureroller that is associated with the carrier tape drawing roller, that hastwo axial ends, that is rotatable about a rotational axis, and thatextends in parallel with the axis of rotation of the carrier tapedrawing roller, wherein the carrier tape can be led between the carriertape drawing roller and the respective carrier tape pressure roller andcan in particular be transported along a predefined carrier tapetransport path.

Label printers are used for labeling goods in the manufacturing industryand in logistics and in the food processing industry, in particular aspart of a system for weight and price marking. The labels are in thisrespect typically applied to a carrier tape and are present in the formof a label roll. In the operation of the label printer, the labels arethen led past the printhead by means of the carrier tape drawing rollerand are printed. The labels are then removed from the carrier tape andare applied to the goods and the returning carrier tape can be wound up.

The respective carrier tape pressure roller is not driven, but pressesthe carrier tape against the carrier tape drawing roller. The carriertape drawing roller alone would not be sufficiently suitable to pull thecarrier tape. However, a pressing force and thus a sufficient propulsionforce can be generated onto the carrier tape by the at least one carriertape pressure roller.

In this respect, the spacing between the carrier tape drawing roller andthe respective carrier tape pressure roller has to be adapted to thethickness of the respective carrier tape used. On the one hand, thespacing has to be large enough to be able to lead through the carriertape; on the other hand, the spacing may not be too large in order to beable to generate a sufficiently large pressing or propulsion force ontothe carrier tape. However, in known label printers, the adaptation ofsaid spacing to the respective carrier tape thickness is frequentlysomewhat laborious and associated with a certain time effort.

It is the underlying object of the invention to provide a label printerof the initially named kind that enables a simple and fast adaptation ofthe spacing between the carrier tape drawing roller and the respectivecarrier tape pressure roller to the respective carrier tape thickness.

This object is satisfied by a label printer having the features of claim1 and in particular in that the respective carrier tape pressure rolleris displaceably supported, in particular linearly displaceablysupported, perpendicular to its rotational axis and in a displacementdirection toward the carrier tape drawing roller, with a spring devicebeing provided to exert a pressing force onto the carrier tape, saidspring device preloading the respective carrier tape pressure roller inthe displacement direction.

Since the respective carrier tape pressure roller is displaceable andpreloaded in the direction of the carrier tape drawing roller, thesuitable spacing between the carrier tape drawing roller and therespective carrier tape pressure roller and the suitable pressing forceon the carrier tape can be automatically adopted when the carrier tapeis inserted, without a separate setting by an operator being necessary.Furthermore, a spring device can be easily realized. In this respect, itis not absolutely necessary that the direction of the preload extends inparallel with the displacement direction, but these two directions canalso be oriented at such an acute angle with respect to one another thata sufficient propulsion force is generated onto the carrier tape in thecase of the spring force exerted by the spring device. Since, in thecase of two carrier tape pressure rollers, the rotational axes eachextend in parallel with the axis of rotation of the carrier tape drawingroller, the two rotational axes of the two carrier tape pressure rollersalso extend in parallel with one another. In general, the respectivecarrier tape pressure roller can also be displaceably supported along acurved path.

In this respect, it is preferred if two carrier tape pressure rollersare provided, with the carrier tape drawing roller being arrangedbetween the two carrier tape pressure rollers and/or the spring devicepreloading the two carrier tape pressure rollers toward one another. Thecarrier tape can then be pressed against the carrier tape drawing rollerfrom two mutually oppositely disposed sides. The above-mentionedpropulsion force can be increased by using two carrier tape pressurerollers. It is hereby also more easily possible to select the carriertape transport path such that the returning carrier tape contacts thecarrier tape drawing roller with its siliconized and thus less adhesivefront side, i.e. with the side on which the labels were previouslyapplied, i.e. before their removal. The spring device can have common orseparate spring elements for the preload of the two carrier tapepressure rollers.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the respectivecarrier tape pressure roller is displaceably supported at its two axialends. A stable and reliable displaceable support of the respectivecarrier tape pressure roller can hereby be achieved in a simple manner.A canting of the respective carrier tape pressure roller on thedisplacement can hereby in particular be counteracted. Furthermore, sucha storage is very flexible. At least certain production tolerances canhereby in particular be easily compensated.

A holder can in particular be provided to displaceably support therespective carrier tape pressure roller, wherein the holder preferablyhas two holding arms which are in particular arranged in a fork-likemanner and between which the respective carrier tape pressure roller isdisplaceably supported. The two holding arms therefore define anintermediate region in which the respective carrier tape pressure rolleris arranged. The holder and thus the respective carrier tape pressureroller are pivoted on the pivoting of the guide unit.

The two holding arms are preferably each provided with at least oneguide track in particular extending in a linear manner, in which guidetracks the two axial ends of the respective carrier tape pressure rollerare displaceably guided. The term guide track is to be understood as anydevice that guides the respective axial end along a predefined line ofmovement. The advantages already explained above can be achieved by thedisplaceable support of the respective carrier tape pressure roller atits two axial ends.

The respective guide track can in this respect be configured as anelongate slot, in particular a slot in the shape of a rectangle or inthe shape of an elongate hole, that passes through the respectiveholding arm. The respective carrier tape pressure roller canadditionally or alternatively have a respective sliding block at its twoaxial ends that is displaceably guided in the respective guide track. Onthe one hand, they are simple measures; however, on the other hand, theyare simultaneously durable and low-maintenance measures by which thedisplaceable support of the respective carrier tape pressure roller canbe realized in a reliable and operatively safe manner.

Provision can be made that the holder, in particular a guide unit forthe carrier tape that comprises the holder, is pivotable about a pivotaxle between an operating position and an insertion position for thecarrier tape, with, in the insertion position for the carrier tape, therespective carrier tape pressure roller being pivoted away from thecarrier tape drawing roller. In the operating position, a change of thelabel roll is time-consuming since the carrier tape drawing roller andthe respective carrier tape pressure roller are at least not spacedsufficiently far apart from one another in this position so that thecarrier tape of the new label roll has to be laboriously threaded inbetween the carrier tape drawing roller and the respective carrier tapepressure roller. To avoid this, the holder or the guide element,including the at least one carrier tape pressure roller associated withthe carrier tape drawing roller, is pivoted into the insertion positionfor the carrier tape on a change of the label roll, whereby therespective carrier tape pressure roller is pivoted away from the carriertape drawing roller. The respective spacing between the carrier tapedrawing roller and the respective carrier tape pressure roller isthereby increased or provided for the first time so that the carriertape does not have to be laboriously threaded in, but can rather beinserted in a very simple or unimpeded manner without any furthereffort. In another respect, without a pivotability away of therespective carrier tape pressure roller for a threading in of thecarrier tape of the new label roll in the direction of the axis ofrotation of the carrier tape drawing roller, the holder would have to beopen in the region of the carrier tape drawing roller and it would thusbe more complex and less stable.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the springdevice comprises at least one tension spring, with the respectivetension spring engaging at one of the two axial ends of the respectivecarrier tape pressure roller. A tension spring is a cost-effective andreliable component that can furthermore be fastened in a simple mannerto one of the two axial ends of the respective carrier tape pressureroller. Compared to a compression spring, a tension spring provides ahigher directional stability.

In this respect, it is preferred if two tension springs are provided,wherein the one tension spring engages at the one of the two axial endsof the respective carrier tape pressure roller and the other tensionspring engages at the other of the two axial ends of the respectivecarrier tape pressure roller or if two carrier tape pressure rollers areprovided, with the respective tension spring engaging at one of the twoaxial ends of the one carrier tape pressure roller and at one of the twoaxial ends of the other carrier tape pressure roller. The two aforesaidmeasures can also be combined so that two carrier tape pressure rollershaving a total of four axial ends and two tension springs for the fouraxial ends are then present.

Provision is preferably made that the respective tension spring isarranged outside the intermediate region formed between the twoaforesaid holding arms and/or is arranged contacting the respectiveaforesaid holding arm. The region outside the two holding arms is easilyaccessible so that the respective tension spring can be quickly replacedif necessary. Furthermore, in the design and arrangement of therespective tension spring, no consideration or hardly any considerationhas to be given to the carrier tape pressure roller or carrier tapepressure rollers that is/are arranged within the two holding arms.

The respective tension spring can be configured as a bent wire part, inparticular as an elongated bent wire part, that extends in a planeand/or that is unwound, with preferably the bent wire part being formedwith mirror symmetry and/or the two wire ends of the respective tensionspring being formed as hook-shaped. Such a tension spring can bemanufactured cost-effectively, can be easily connected to the carriertape pressure rollers, can be deformed in a simple manner, and can thusbe easily adapted to the respective present design.

Provision can generally be made that, in particular in an operatingposition of a holder or of a guide unit, the predefined carrier tapetransport path has an S-shaped curve in the region of the carrier tapedrawing roller and of the respective carrier tape pressure roller, i.e.a curve that changes from a left curvature to a right curvature or viceversa. The contact surface of the carrier tape with the driven carriertape drawing roller can thus be increased so that the propulsion forceon the carrier tape can be further increased. If two carrier tapepressure rollers are provided, it is preferred if the predefined carriertape transport path has a double S-shaped curve in the region of thecarrier tape drawing roller and of the two carrier tape pressurerollers. The advantages explained in connection with a carrier tapepressure roller and a carrier tape transport path extending in an Sshape can then occur to an even greater degree since the carrier tapecan so-to-say partly wrap around the carrier tape drawing roller in thiscase.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, two carriertape pressure rollers are provided that are arranged spaced apart fromone another via an intermediate space, with the carrier tape drawingroller engaging into the intermediate space in the operating position ofthe holder or of the guide unit, in particular to generate said doubleS-shaped curve of the predefined carrier tape transport path, and/orbeing withdrawn, in particular completely withdrawn, from theintermediate space in the insertion position of the holder or of theguide unit relative to the intermediate space, with provision inparticular being made that the carrier tape drawing roller is supportedin a fixed position and the intermediate space is moved on the pivotingof the guide unit from the operating position into the insertionposition.

Provision is in particular made that, on the pivoting of the holder orof the guide unit from the insertion position into the operatingposition, at least in a first phase of the pivot movement, the twocarrier tape pressure rollers are pressed apart by the carrier tapedrawing roller while increasing their mutual spacing and against thepreload of the spring device. The pressing force on the carrier tape andthus the propulsion force on the carrier tape can hereby be generated ina simple manner and can in particular be generated symmetrically forboth carrier tape pressure rollers.

Provision can furthermore be made that the carrier tape drawing rolleris pivoted relative to the intermediate space beyond a straightconnecting line perpendicular to the two rotational axes of the twocarrier tape pressure rollers into the intermediate space so that, in asecond phase of the pivot movement following the first phase, the twocarrier tape pressure rollers are displaced toward one another again bythe preloaded spring device and while reducing their mutual spacing. Thetwo carrier tape pressure rollers can thereby so-to-say be latched tothe carrier tape drawing roller and the holder or the guide unit can beheld in the operating position. To pivot the holder or the guide unitfrom the operating position into the insertion position, the two carriertape pressure rollers then likewise first have to be pressed apart.

Furthermore, the guide unit for the carrier tape can comprise thecounter-element to the printhead, with the counter-element being pivotedaway from the printhead in the insertion position of the guide unit. Thesame advantages hereby result as on the above-described pivoting of therespective carrier tape pressure roller away from the carrier tapedrawing roller.

In particular, viewed in the transport direction of the carrier tape,the carrier tape drawing roller and the respective carrier tape pressureroller can be arranged after the printhead and the counter-element andcan in particular be arranged after a dispensing edge of the labelprinter arranged after the printhead and the counter-element. Thecarrier tape drawing roller is then a drive that engages at thereturning carrier tape. Furthermore, a driven carrier tape take-uproller can be provided that, viewed in the transport direction of thecarrier tape, is arranged after the carrier tape drawing roller and theat least one carrier tape pressure roller.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are also described in thedependent claims, in the description, and in the drawings.

The invention will be described in the following by way of example withreference to the drawings. There are shown:

FIG. 1 a label printer in accordance with the invention for printinglabels applied to a carrier tape in accordance with a first embodimentwith a printhead unit, a guide unit for the carrier tape, and ahigh-speed drive that are each located in an operating position;

FIG. 2 a label printer in accordance with the invention in accordancewith a second embodiment with an alternative guide unit that is locatedin an insertion position for the carrier tape;

FIG. 3 the label printer from FIG. 2, with the printhead unitadditionally being located in an insertion position for a thermaltransfer tape;

FIG. 4 the label printer from FIG. 1, with the high-speed drive beinglocated in an insertion position for the carrier tape;

FIG. 5 the label printer from FIG. 1, with both the printhead unit andthe guide unit being removed;

FIG. 6 a rear view of the label printer from FIG. 1 of the drive of thelabel printer;

FIG. 7 the guide unit from FIG. 1 in an individual representation withtwo pressure rollers, an associated holder, and a spring device;

FIG. 8 the alternative guide unit from FIG. 2 in an individualrepresentation with two pressure rollers, an associated holder, and aspring device;

FIG. 9 the two pressure rollers and the spring device from FIG. 7 orFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 a holding arm of the holder from FIG. 7 or FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 the printhead unit from FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 in an individualrepresentation; and

FIG. 12 an alternative printhead unit.

The label printer 11 shown in FIG. 1 for printing labels applied to acarrier tape 12 and wound onto a roll comprises a printhead unit 13having a printhead 15; and a guide unit 17 for the carrier tape 12 thathas a counter-element 19 to the printhead 15. The carrier tape 12 withthe labels is led between the printhead 15 and the counter-element 19 inthe operation of the label printer 11. The counter-element 19 isprovided to hold the carrier tape 12 with the labels in contact with theprinthead 15 to ensure the printing of the labels.

Furthermore, the label printer 11 comprises a drive mechanism for thecarrier tape 12 having a driven carrier tape drawing roller 21 which issupported in a fixed position and with which two non-driven carrier tapepressure rollers 23 are associated that are each a part of the guideunit 17. The carrier tape drawing roller 21 and the two carrier tapepressure rollers 23 are provided to transport the carrier tape 12 alonga predefined carrier tape transport path. For this purpose, the carriertape 12 is led between the carrier tape drawing roller 21 and therespective carrier tape pressure roller 23. The two carrier tapepressure rollers 23 in this respect press the carrier tape 12 againstthe carrier tape drawing roller 21 in each case so that a sufficientpressing and propulsion force is generated onto the carrier tape 12. Thecarrier tape 12 is unwound from a label roll 39 and is wound by a drivencarrier tape take-up roller 41 that is supported in a fixed position.

Specifically, an intermediate space is formed between the two carriertape pressure rollers 23, into which intermediate space the carrier tapedrawing roller 21 engages so that the carrier tape transport pathextends in a respective S shape between the carrier tape drawing roller21 and the respective carrier tape pressure roller 23 so that a doubleS-shaped curve of the carrier tape transport path results overall inthis region. In this respect, viewed in the transport direction 25 ofthe carrier tape 12, the carrier tape drawing roller 21 and the twocarrier tape pressure rollers 23 are arranged behind the printhead 15and the counter-element 19 and are arranged behind a dispensing edge 27arranged directly after the printhead 15 and the counter-element 19.

The guide unit 17 comprises an angular element 29 that has ahorizontally oriented first angular arm 31 and a second angular arm 33oriented obliquely upwardly. The counter-element 19 is in this respectarranged at the first angular arm 31 and the two carrier tape pressurerollers 23 are arranged at the second angular arm 33. The angle includedby the two angular arms 31, 33 has a value of approximately 130°. Toadapt the carrier tape transport path to the angular design of theangular element 29, the guide unit 17 further comprises a deflectionroller 35 that is arranged inwardly disposed at the vertex of theangular element 29; and a further deflection roller 37 that is arrangedoutwardly disposed at the vertex of the angular element 29.

The label printer 11 shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a thermal transferlabel printer, i.e. the printhead 15 is a thermal transfer printhead.The label printer 11 thus also has a drive mechanism for a thermaltransfer tape 44 wound onto a roll. The drive mechanism for the thermaltransfer tape 44 comprises a driven thermal transfer tape drawing roller45 which is supported in a fixed position and with which a non-driventhermal transfer tape pressure roller 47 is associated that is a part ofthe printhead unit 13. The thermal transfer tape pressure roller 47presses the thermal transfer tape 44 against the thermal transfer tapedrawing roller 45 so that a sufficient pressing and propulsion force isgenerated onto the thermal transfer tape 44. In the operation of thelabel printer 11, the thermal transfer tape 44 is transported along apredefined thermal transfer tape transport path and is in this respectled between the printhead 15 and the counter-element 19, on the onehand, and between the thermal transfer tape drawing roller 45 and thethermal transfer tape pressure roller 47, on the other hand. The thermaltransfer tape 44 is unwound from a thermal transfer tape roll 49 and iswound by a driven thermal transfer tape take-up roller 51 supported in afixed position. Viewed in the transport direction 133 of the thermaltransfer tape 44, the thermal transfer tape drawing roller 45 and thethermal transfer tape pressure roller 47 are arranged after theprinthead 15 and the counter-element 19.

As can be recognized from FIG. 1, a change of the label roll 39 istime-consuming in the operating position of the guide unit 17 shown inFIG. 1 since the carrier tape 12 of the new label roll has to belaboriously threaded in between the printhead 15 and the counter-element19, on the one hand, and between the carrier tape drawing roller 21 andthe respective carrier tape pressure roller 23, on the other hand, sincethe spacing between the printhead 15 and the counter-element 19, on theone hand, and the spacing between the carrier tape drawing roller 21 andeach of the two carrier tape pressure rollers 23, on the other hand, areat least not sufficiently large.

Therefore, the guide unit 17 can be pivoted counter-clockwise from itsoperating position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 into its insertion positionfor the carrier tape 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For this purpose, theguide unit 17, in particular the angular element 29, is pivotablysupported about a pivot axle 53. In the insertion position of the guideunit 17, the counter-element 19 is pivoted away from the printhead 15and the two carrier tape pressure rollers 23 are pivoted away from thecarrier tape drawing roller 21 so that the spacing between thecounter-element 19 and the printhead 15 and the spacing between the twocarrier tape pressure rollers 23 and the carrier tape drawing roller 21increase. In the insertion position of the guide unit 17, the carriertape drawing roller 21 is—viewed relatively—in particular completelywithdrawn from the intermediate space formed between the two carriertape pressure rollers 23. The carrier tape 12 of the new carrier taperoll can then be simply inserted.

The same applies to a change of the thermal transfer tape roll 49. Thischange is also time-consuming in the operating position of the printheadunit 13 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 since the thermal transfer tape 44 ofthe new thermal transfer tape roll has to be laboriously threadedbetween the thermal transfer tape drawing roller 45 and the thermaltransfer tape pressure roller 47 since the spacing between the thermaltransfer tape drawing roller 45 and the thermal transfer tape pressureroller 47 is at least not sufficiently large.

Therefore, the printhead unit 13 can also be pivoted clockwise from itsoperating position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 into its insertionposition for the thermal transfer tape 44 shown in FIG. 3. For thispurpose, the printhead unit 13 is pivotably supported about a printheadunit pivot axle 55. In the insertion position of the printhead unit 13,the thermal transfer tape pressure roller 47 is pivoted away from thethermal transfer tape drawing roller 45 so that the spacing between thethermal transfer tape pressure roller 47 and the thermal transfer tapedrawing roller 45 increases. The thermal transfer tape 44 of the newthermal transfer tape roll can then be simply inserted.

The insertion of the thermal transfer tape 44 in the region of theprinthead 15 and of the counter-element 19 in this respect does notcause any difficulties since the printhead 15 and the counter-element 19already adopt a sufficiently large spacing from one another due to thepivoting of the guide unit 17. However, this can generally also beprovided in a different manner. To then be able to easily insert thethermal transfer tape 44 in the region of the printhead 15 and of thecounter-element 19, the pivoting of the printhead unit 13 should thenpreferably take place such that the printhead 15 is pivoted away fromthe counter-element 19 as is also the case in the embodiments shown inthe Figures.

Furthermore, a holding device 57 is provided that either holds the guideunit 17 in the operating position, i.e. secures it against a pivotinginto the insertion position, or releases it for a pivoting into theinsertion position. The holding device 57 comprises a lever 59 that issupported at the printhead unit 13 and that is rotatable about an axle61 between a holding position and a release position. In the holdingposition, the guide unit 17 is secured in the operating position; in therelease position, which the lever 59 reaches by a clockwise pivoting,the guide unit 17 is released for a pivoting into the insertionposition.

The lever 59 has a recess 63 at its free end and the guide unit 17 has aprojecting mushroom-shaped pin 65 (cf. FIG. 2). If the guide unit 17 islocated in its operating position and the lever 59 is located in itsholding position, the lever 59 hooks with the recess 63 into the pin 65of the guide unit 17. The guide unit 17 can thereby be held in itsoperating position. A pivoting into its insertion position is then notpossible. A knurled screw 67 (cf. FIG. 2), which can be actuated byhand, is provided to fix the lever 59 in its holding position. The axisof the knurled screw 67 in this respect coincides with the axle 61 ofthe lever 59.

Furthermore, a fixing device is provided in the form of a blocking pin69 (cf. FIG. 2) which can be actuated by hand, which forms the axle 61of the lever 59, and by which the printhead unit 13 can be fixed in itsoperating position. Thus, the printhead unit 13 can also be secured inits operating position by a technical measure. The blocking pin 69 isadjustable along its longitudinal axis between a blocking position andan unblocking position. In the blocking position, the blocking pin 69engages into a blocking opening 139 formed in a support 79 of the labelprinter 11 set up on edge (cf. FIG. 5) so that a pivoting of theprinthead unit 13 is prevented. If the blocking pin 69 is in contrastadjusted, in particular pulled, to the front into its unblockingposition along its longitudinal axis against the preload of a spring,not shown, the printhead unit 13 is released. The printhead unit 13 canthen be pivoted into its insertion position.

Furthermore, the drive mechanism for the carrier tape 12 comprises afurther driven carrier tape drawing roller 71 supported in a fixedposition; and a non-driven further carrier tape pressure roller 73associated with the further carrier tape drawing roller 71, said furtherdriven carrier tape drawing roller 71 and said non-driven furthercarrier tape pressure roller 73, viewed in the transport direction ofthe carrier tape 12, being arranged in front of the printhead 15 and thecounter-element 19. The further carrier tape pressure roller 73 in thisrespect presses the carrier tape 12 against the further carrier tapedrawing roller 71 so that a pressing and propulsion force is generatedonto the carrier tape 44.

Since the further carrier tape drawing roller 71 and the further carriertape pressure roller 73 are connected upstream of the printhead 15 andthe counter-element 19, the carrier tape 12 can be transported along thecarrier tape transport path at a higher speed than would be the casewithout the further carrier tape drawing roller 71 and without thefurther carrier tape pressure roller 73. The further carrier tapedrawing roller 71 and the further carrier tape pressure roller 73 arenamely disposed more closely to the label roll 39 than the carrier tapedrawing roller 21 and the carrier tape pressure rollers 23 and cantherefore pull the carrier tape 12 off from the label roll 39 moreeasily. No force in particular has to be applied on the pulling off forthe sharp deflection of the carrier tape 12 at the dispensing edge 27.The label throughput can thereby be increased.

In order not to have to laboriously thread in the carrier tape 12between the further carrier tape drawing roller 71 and the furthercarrier tape pressure roller 73 on a change of the label roll 39, thefurther carrier tape pressure roller 73 is a part of a pivot element 75that is pivotably supported about a further pivot axle 77 between anoperating position (cf. FIGS. 1 to 3) and an insertion position for thecarrier tape 12 (cf. FIG. 4). Analogously to the situation describedabove with respect to the pivotable guide unit 17, to the carrier tapedrawing roller 21 and to the carrier tape pressure rollers 23, in theoperating position of the pivot element 75, the carrier tape 12 can beled between the further carrier tape drawing roller 71 and the furthercarrier tape pressure roller 73 and can be transported along the carriertape transport path and, in the insertion position for the carrier tape12, the further carrier tape pressure roller 73 is pivoted away from thefurther carrier tape drawing roller 71.

The pivot element 75 is pivoted upwardly from the operating positionshown in FIGS. 1 to 3 to “open” the carrier tape transport path and ispivoted downwardly from the insertion position shown in FIG. 4 to“close” the carrier tape transport path. The carrier tape 12 istransported downwardly by the further carrier tape drawing roller 71rotating clockwise, as is shown in FIG. 1 with reference to thetransport direction 25 of the carrier tape 12. The sense of rotation ofthe pivot movement of the pivot element 75 from the insertion positioninto the operating position is therefore opposite to the sense ofrotation of the further carrier tape drawing roller 71. This ultimatelymeans that, in the operation of the label printer 11, the carrier tape12 pulls the pivot element 75 in the direction of the operating positionand thus counteracts a pivoting in the direction of the insertionposition.

The pivot element 75 having the further carrier tape pressure roller 73can be removable from the label printer 11 and the further carrier tapedrawing roller 71 can be mechanically decoupled from its motor and canbe usable as a mere deflection roller. The label printer 11 can then beconverted to a version without the further drive. Alternatively, theversion without the further drive can also already be offered ex works.In both cases, it is preferred if the label printer 11 has a firstoperating mode and a second operating mode. The first operating mode isselected if the further drive, i.e. the further carrier tape drawingroller 71 and the further carrier tape pressure roller 73, is present.This is then a case of a high-speed mode. The second operating mode isselected if the further drive is absent, i.e. if the further carriertape pressure roller 73 is removed or is absent from the start and thefurther carrier tape drawing roller 71 is mechanically decoupled from anassociated motor or the latter is absent from the start. This is then acase of a normal speed mode.

Furthermore, the label printer 11 can have an operating mode in whichthe printhead 15 is alternately adjusted between a position lowered ontothe carrier tape 12 and a position raised from the carrier tape 12. Inthe lowered position, a label can be printed in the respective printregion and the raised position is adopted between the printing of twoconsecutive labels in the respective print regions. In the regions inwhich the respective label is not printed, the printhead 15 can adoptthe raised position. In this respect, the carrier tape drawing roller21, the further carrier tape drawing roller 71 and the carrier tapetake-up roller 41 are operated at a higher rotational speed in theraised position of the printhead 15 than in the lowered position of theprinthead 15. For this purpose, the carrier tape 12 has to bealternately slowed down and accelerated between the printing ofconsecutive print regions. This can in particular be sensible whendecorative labels are used that are not printed over large regions. Dueto the provision of the further carrier tape drawing roller 71 and thefurther carrier tape pressure roller 73, the carrier tape 12 can beaccelerated more than otherwise possible. The raising of the printhead15 is in particular possible when a sliding plate 19″ as explained inthe following (cf. FIGS. 2, 3, and 8) is used as the counter-element 19.

The printhead unit 13 and the guide unit 17 are each configured as areplaceable module and can each be removed from the label printer 11, asis shown in FIG. 5. For this purpose, a first receiver 81 for theprinthead unit 13 and a second receiver 83 for the guide unit 17 projectfrom the support plate 79. The two receivers 81, 83 are each configuredas a horizontally oriented holding mandrel in the form of a round bar.The two receivers 81, 83 are fastened to the support plate 79 with therespective one end and the printhead unit 13 and the guide unit 17 canbe pushed onto the receivers 81, 83 from the respective other,self-supporting end.

The printhead unit 13 can in this respect be received by the firstreceiver 81 irrespectively of whether the guide unit 17 is received bythe second receiver 83 or is removed therefrom, and vice versa, i.e. theguide unit 17 can be received by the second receiver 83 irrespectivelyof whether the printhead unit 13 is received by the first receiver 81 oris removed therefrom. To fasten the printhead unit 13 or the guide unit17 to the respective receiver 81, 83, a knurled screw 85, 87 is providedin each case (cf. FIG. 4) that can be loosened by hand so that theprinthead unit 13 and the guide unit 17 are fastenable and removable ina fast and uncomplicated manner.

Two mutually different printhead units 13 and two mutually differentguide units 17 are available for the label printer 11, wherein the labelprinter 11, in particular the two receivers 81, 83, receives one of thetwo printhead units 13 and one of the two guide units 17 in theassembled and operational state. The first of the two printhead units 13has a printhead 15 that is configured as a thermal transfer printhead15′, as is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and 11. The second of the twoprinthead units 13 has a printhead 15 that is configured as a directthermal printhead 15″, as is shown in FIG. 12. The printhead unit 13having the direct thermal printhead 15″ does not have a thermal transfertape pressure roller. The first of the two guide units 17 has, as thecounter-element 19, a driven print roller 19′, as is shown in FIGS. 1,4, and 7. The second of the two guide units 17 has, as thecounter-element 19, a sliding plate 19″ provided with a damping element89 and composed of metal, as is already mentioned above and is shown inFIGS. 2, 3, and 8. The damping element 89 is a felt that is between 0.5mm and 1 mm thick and that is provided to compensate any tolerances ofthe sliding plate 19″ and of the printhead 15 and to avoid damage to theprinthead 15 on a lowering in the direction of the hard sliding plate19″. The damping element 89 is hot caulked with a plastic part 137 forthe fixing.

The thermal transfer printhead 15′ can be operated together with thethermal transfer tape 44 to print in the thermal transfer printingprocess. Such prints are particularly durable. However, the thermaltransfer printhead 15′ can generally also print in the direct thermalprocess, i.e. without the thermal transfer tape 44. The thermal transferprinthead 15′ can thus be flexibly used, but is also expensive. Thedirect thermal printhead 15″ can only print in the direct thermalprocess and is therefore more favorable. Due to its diameter, the printroller 19′ is arranged at a specific spacing from the dispensing edge27. Therefore, it is possible that a following label has already partlypassed through beneath the printhead 15 at that point in time at which aprevious label releases from the carrier tape 12 at the dispensing edge27 so that a near-edge print at the front label edge is not possiblewithout further measures. To prevent this, either the carrier tape hasto be briefly reversed—with a loss of speed—or the labels have to bearranged at a larger spacing from one another—associated with highercosts. However, this problem that the printhead 15 is spaced too farapart from the dispensing edge 27 does not occur with the sliding plate19″ so that near-edge prints are easily possible here. However, thesliding plate 19″ with the felt is less durable and is thus moreexpensive.

With the two mutually different printhead units 13 and the two mutuallydifferent guide units 17, a set of mutually different accessory partsfor the label printer 11 is present. Thus, only a single label printer11 is required for a printing with different equipment (thermal transferprinthead or direct thermal printhead, print roller or sliding plate). Atotal of four mutually different constellations are thus possible thatcan in particular be selectively used depending on the respective labeltype and/or on the desired printing. The label printer 11 can thus beflexibly configured.

The carrier tape take-up roller 41 is driven by a separate motor, notshown. The drive device of the remaining rollers 19′, 21, 45, 51, 71 ofthe label printer 11 can in contrast be seen from FIG. 6 that shows arear view of the support plate 79.

The drive device first comprises a first motor 91 that drives thecarrier tape drawing roller 21 via a toothed belt 93. The first motor 91also drives the thermal transfer tape drawing roller 45 indirectly viathe carrier tape drawing roller 21, a further toothed belt 95, a slipclutch 97, and a gear 99. Furthermore, the thermal transfer tape take-uproller 51 is also driven by the gear 99 while interposing a further slipclutch 101. The first motor 91 is therefore a common motor for thecarrier tape drawing roller 21, the thermal transfer tape drawing roller45, and the thermal transfer tape take-up roller 51 that are thusmechanically synchronized with one another.

Furthermore, the drive device comprises a second motor 103 that drivesthe further carrier tape drawing roller 71 via a further toothed belt105 provided that the further drive having the further carrier tapedrawing roller 71 and the further carrier tape pressure roller 73 ispresent; and a third motor 107 that drives the print roller 19′ via twofurther toothed belts 109, 111 connected behind one another and twofollowing toothed wheels 113, 115 engaging into one another providedthat the guide unit 17 having the print roller 19′ is used. The toothedwheel 113 is attached to the rear side of the support plate 79 (cf.FIGS. 5 and 6) and the toothed wheel 115 is attached to the guide unit17 having the print roller 19′ (cf. FIG. 7). If the further drive is notpresent, the second motor 103 can also be omitted. If the guide unit 17having the sliding plate 19″ is used, no toothed wheel 115 is provided(cf. FIG. 8).

The second motor 103 is a separate motor of the further carrier tapedrawing roller 71 and the third motor 107 is a separate motor of theprint roller 19′. Generally, a separate motor is a motor that drivesonly one roller. Thus, the carrier tape drawing roller 21, the furthercarrier tape drawing roller 71, the print roller 19′, and the carriertape take-up roller 41 are driven by motors 91, 103, 107 that aredifferent from one another, but are electronically synchronized with oneanother by a corresponding regulation in order to ensure a mutuallycoordinated operation of the carrier tape drawing roller 21, the furthercarrier tape drawing roller 71, the print roller 19′, and the carriertape take-up roller 41.

The guide unit 17 having the print roller 19′ is shown in FIG. 7 and theguide unit 17 having the sliding plate 19″ is shown in FIG. 8. Thesecond angular arm 33, identical in both cases, of the angular element29 has a holder 117 having two holding arms 119 which are arranged in afork-like manner and between which the two carrier tape pressure rollers23 are each linearly displaceably supported with their two axial ends.In the operating position of the guide unit 17, the carrier tape drawingroller 21 is arranged between the two carrier tape pressure rollers 23.The carrier tape pressure rollers 23 are in this respect eachdisplaceably supported perpendicular to their rotational axis, which ineach case extends in parallel with the axis of rotation of the carriertape drawing roller 21, and indeed in a displacement direction towardthe carrier tape drawing roller 21 in the operating position of theguide unit 17.

To exert a pressing force onto the carrier tape 12 in the operatingposition of the guide unit 17, a spring device 121 is provided (cf.FIGS. 7 to 9) that preloads, in particular pulls, the two carrier tapepressure rollers 23 in their displacement direction in each case andthus toward one another. A particularly suitable pressing force, andthus propulsion force, can be automatically generated onto the carriertape 12 by the spring device 121.

In the two holding arms 119, of which the holding arm 119 that is therear holding arm in FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown in FIG. 10, a respective twoguide tracks 123 are provided that are each configured as a rectangular,straight slot. In the guide tracks 123 through which the holding arms119 pass, the two carrier tape pressure rollers 23 are each displaceablyguided with their two axial ends. For this purpose, the axial ends ofthe carrier tape pressure rollers 23 are each provided with a slidingblock 125 (cf. FIG. 9) that is displaceably guided in the respectiveguide track 123. The holding arm 119 that is shown in FIG. 10 and thatis the rear holding arm in FIGS. 7 and 8 has a cut-out 135 in comparisonwith the holding arm 119 that is the front holding arm in FIGS. 7 and 8in order to enable an engaging through of the carrier tape drawingroller 21 in the operating position of the guide unit 17.

Specifically, the spring device 121 comprises two tension springs 127that are each arranged outside the intermediate space formed between thetwo holding arms 119 and that are each arranged contacting one of thetwo holding arms 119. Only one of the two tension springs 127 can berecognized in FIGS. 7 and 8. The one of the two tension springs 127 inthis respect engages at the one of the two axial ends of the one carriertape pressure roller 23 and at the axial end of the other carrier tapepressure roller 23 disposed on the same side, and the other tensionspring 127 engages at the other two axial ends. The tension springs 127are in this respect each configured as an elongated bent wire part thatextends in a plane and that is not wound, i.e. it has no windings. Therespective tension spring 127 is formed as hook-shaped at its two wireends so that it can be simply fastened to the two axial ends of the twocarrier tape pressure rollers 23 disposed on the same side.

On the pivoting of the guide unit 17 from the insertion position shownin FIGS. 2 and 3 into the operating position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, thetwo carrier tape pressure rollers 23 are pressed apart by the carriertape drawing roller 21 and against the preload of the spring device 121,i.e. the spacing between the two carrier tape pressure rollers 23increases. The operating position of the guide unit 17 can in thisrespect in particular be reached when the carrier tape drawing roller 21is located approximately at the level of the straight connecting linesperpendicular to the two rotational axes of the two carrier tapepressure rollers 23 or it can already be reached beforehand. However,provision can also be made that the carrier tape drawing roller21—viewed relatively—is pivoted beyond this straight connecting lineinto the intermediate space. The pivot movement of the guide unit 17 isthen divided into a first phase, in which the carrier tape drawingroller 21 is pivoted—viewed relatively—up to the straight connectinglines, and into a second phase, which follows the first phase and inwhich the two carrier tape pressure rollers 23 are displaced toward oneanother again by the preloaded spring device 121, whereby the spacingbetween the two carrier tape pressure rollers 23 is reduced again. Akind of latching between the two carrier tape pressure rollers 23 andthe carrier tape drawing roller 21 thus takes place, whereby the guideunit 17 can be held in the operating position.

Furthermore, the guide unit 17 comprises a sensor 129 for recognizingthe labels, in particular an optical sensor, in particular a lightbarrier (cf. FIG. 2), that, viewed in the transport direction 25 of thecarrier tape 12, is arranged between the further carrier tape drawingroller 71 and the further carrier tape pressure roller 73, on the onehand, and the printhead 15 and the counter-element 19, on the otherhand. The label sensor 129 is provided to recognize the front edges ofthe labels in order to synchronize the drive of the carrier tape 12 withthe control for the printhead 15. White labels, decorative labels, andtransparent labels with black marks on the carrier tape 12 can inparticular be detected by the label sensor 129.

In contrast, transparent labels that are applied to a carrier tape 12without black marks cannot be recognized by the label sensor 129. Torecognize such labels, a further sensor 131, namely an ultrasonicsensor, is provided (cf. FIG. 2) that, viewed in the transport direction25 of the carrier tape 12, is arranged between the further carrier tapedrawing roller 71 and the further carrier tape pressure roller 73, onthe one hand, and between the printhead 15 and the counter-element 19,on the other hand.

For a change of the label roll 39, starting from the operating positionof the label printer in FIG. 1, first the knurled screw 67 is loosened,then the lever 59 is pivoted clockwise into its release position torelease the hook connection with the guide unit 17, and then the guideunit 15 is pivoted counterclockwise into its insertion position for thecarrier tape 12. If the further drive having the further carrier tapedrawing roller 71 and the further carrier tape pressure roller 73 ispresent, the pivot element 75 additionally has to be pivoted clockwiseinto its insertion position for the carrier tape 12. This can take placeat any desired point in time. Subsequently, the used carrier tape 12 canbe removed from the label printer 11 and the new carrier tape can beeasily inserted or placed into the label printer 11 from the front.

For a change of the thermal transfer tape roll 49, the above-explainedsteps for a change of the label roll 39 are first performed, possiblywith the exception of the pivoting of the optional pivot element 75. Theblocking pin 69 is then pulled to the front and the printhead unit 13can be pivoted clockwise into its insertion position for the thermaltransfer tape 44. Subsequently, the used thermal transfer tape 44 can beremoved from the label printer 11 and the new thermal transfer tape canbe easily inserted or placed into the label printer 11 from the front.

For a change or a replacement of the guide unit 17, the above-explainedsteps for a change of the label roll 39 are first performed, possiblywith the exception of the pivoting of the optional pivot element 75. Theknurled screw 87 is subsequently loosened and the guide unit 17 can bepulled off to the front and can be replaced with another guide unit.

For a change or a replacement of the printhead unit 13, theabove-explained steps for a change of the thermal transfer tape roll 49are first performed, possibly with the exception of the pivoting of theoptional pivot element 75. The knurled screw 85 is subsequently loosenedand the printhead unit 13 can be pulled off to the front and can bereplaced with another printhead unit.

The above-explained label printer is easy to operate and can be flexiblyused.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

-   11 label printer-   12 carrier tape-   13 printhead unit-   15 printhead-   15′ thermal transfer printhead-   15″ direct thermal printhead-   17 guide unit-   19 counter-element-   19′ print roller-   19″ sliding plate-   21 carrier tape drawing roller-   23 carrier tape pressure roller-   25 transport direction-   27 dispensing edge-   29 angular element-   31, 33 angular arm-   35, 37 deflection roller-   39 label roll-   41 carrier tape take-up roller-   44 thermal transfer tape-   45 thermal transfer tape drawing roller-   47 thermal transfer tape pressure roller-   49 thermal transfer tape roll-   51 thermal transfer tape take-up roller-   53 pivot axle-   55 printhead unit pivot axle-   57 holding device-   59 lever-   61 axle-   63 recess-   65 pin-   67 knurled screw-   69 blocking pin-   71 further carrier tape drawing roller-   73 further carrier tape pressure roller-   75 pivot element-   77 further pivot axle-   79 support plate-   81 first receiver-   83 second receiver-   85 knurled screw-   87 knurled screw-   89 damping element-   91 first motor-   93 toothed belt-   95 further toothed belt-   97 slip clutch-   99 gear-   101 further slip clutch-   103 second motor-   105 further toothed belt-   107 third motor-   109 further toothed belt-   111 further toothed belt-   113 toothed wheel-   115 toothed wheel-   117 holder-   119 holding arm-   121 spring device-   123 guide track-   125 sliding block-   127 tension spring-   129 optical sensor-   131 ultrasonic sensor-   133 transport direction-   135 cutout-   137 plastic part-   139 blocking opening

The invention claimed is:
 1. A label printer for printing labels appliedto a carrier tape, comprising a printhead and a counter-element to theprinthead, which is configured to hold the carrier tape with the labelsin contact with the printhead, wherein the carrier tape can be ledbetween the printhead and the counter-element; a drive mechanism for thecarrier tape having a driven carrier tape drawing roller that isrotatable about an axis of rotation; and at least one non-driven carriertape pressure roller that is associated with the carrier tape drawingroller, that has two axial ends, that is rotatable about a rotationalaxis, and that extends in parallel with the axis of rotation of thecarrier tape drawing roller, wherein the carrier tape can be led betweenthe carrier tape drawing roller and the respective carrier tape pressureroller, wherein the respective carrier tape pressure roller isdisplaceably supported perpendicular to its rotational axis and in adisplacement direction toward the carrier tape drawing roller, with aspring device being provided to exert a pressing force onto the carriertape, said spring device preloading the respective carrier tape pressureroller in the displacement direction.
 2. The label printer in accordancewith claim 1, wherein two carrier tape pressure rollers are provided,with the carrier tape drawing roller being arranged between the twocarrier tape pressure rollers and/or the spring device preloading thetwo carrier tape pressure rollers toward one another.
 3. The labelprinter in accordance with claim 1, wherein the respective carrier tapepressure roller is displaceably supported at its two axial ends.
 4. Thelabel printer in accordance with claim 1, wherein a holder is providedto displaceably support the respective carrier tape pressure roller. 5.The label printer in accordance with claim 4, wherein the holder has twoholding arms at and between which the respective carrier tape pressureroller is displaceably supported.
 6. The label printer in accordancewith claim 5, wherein the two holding arms are each provided with atleast one guide track, in which guide tracks the two axial ends of therespective carrier tape pressure roller are displaceably guided.
 7. Thelabel printer in accordance with claim 6, wherein the respective guidetrack is configured as an elongate slot that passes through therespective holding arm.
 8. The label printer in accordance with claim 6,wherein the respective carrier tape pressure roller has a respectivesliding block at its two axial ends that is displaceably guided in therespective guide track.
 9. The label printer in accordance with claim 4,wherein the holder, in particular a guide unit for the carrier tape thatcomprises the holder, is pivotable about a pivot axle between anoperating position and an insertion position for the carrier tape, with,in the insertion position for the carrier tape, the respective carriertape pressure roller being pivoted away from the carrier tape drawingroller.
 10. The label printer in accordance with claim 9, wherein twocarrier tape pressure rollers are provided that are arranged spacedapart from one another via an intermediate space, with the carrier tapedrawing roller engaging into the intermediate space in the operatingposition of the holder or of the guide unit and/or, relative to theintermediate space, being withdrawn from the intermediate space in theinsertion position of the holder or of the guide unit.
 11. The labelprinter in accordance with claim 10, wherein on the pivoting of theholder or of the guide unit from the insertion position into theoperating position, at least in a first phase of the pivot movement, thetwo carrier tape pressure rollers are pressed apart by the carrier tapedrawing roller while increasing their mutual spacing and against thepreload of the spring device.
 12. The label printer in accordance withclaim 11, wherein the carrier tape drawing roller is pivoted relative tothe intermediate space beyond a straight connecting line perpendicularto the two rotational axes of the two carrier tape pressure rollers intothe intermediate space so that, in a second phase of the pivot movementfollowing the first phase, the two carrier tape pressure rollers aredisplaced toward one another again by the preloaded spring device andwhile reducing their mutual spacing.
 13. The label printer in accordancewith claim 9, wherein the guide unit for the carrier tape comprises thecounter-element to the printhead, with the counter-element being pivotedaway from the printhead in the insertion position of the guide unit. 14.The label printer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the spring devicecomprises at least one tension spring, with the respective tensionspring engaging at one of the two axial ends of the respective carriertape pressure roller.
 15. The label printer in accordance with claim 14,wherein two tension springs are provided, with the one tension springengaging at the one of the two axial ends of the respective carrier tapepressure roller and the other tension spring engaging at the other ofthe two axial ends of the respective carrier tape pressure roller. 16.The label printer in accordance with claim 14, wherein two carrier tapepressure rollers are provided, with the respective tension springengaging at one of the two axial ends of the one carrier tape pressureroller and at one of the two axial ends of the other carrier tapepressure roller.
 17. The label printer in accordance with claim 14,wherein a holder is provided to displaceably support the respectivecarrier tape pressure roller, with the holder having two holding arms atand between which the respective carrier tape pressure roller isdisplaceably supported, with the respective tension spring beingarranged outside the intermediate region formed between the two holdingarms and/or being arranged contacting the respective holding arm. 18.The label printer in accordance with claim 14, wherein the respectivetension spring is configured as a bent wire part, in particular as abent wire part that is elongated, that extends in a plane and/or that isunwound, with preferably the bent wire part being formed with mirrorsymmetry and/or the two wire ends of the respective tension spring beingformed as hook-shaped.
 19. The label printer in accordance with claim 1,wherein the carrier tape can be transported along a predefined carriertape transport path, with the predefined carrier tape transport pathhaving an S-shaped curve in the region of the carrier tape drawingroller and of the respective carrier tape pressure roller; and/or withtwo carrier tape pressure rollers being provided, with the predefinedcarrier tape transport path having a double S-shaped curve in the regionof the carrier tape drawing roller and of the two carrier tape pressurerollers.
 20. The label printer in accordance with claim 1, whereinviewed in a transport direction of the carrier tape, the carrier tapedrawing roller and the respective carrier tape pressure roller arearranged after the printhead and the counter-element and are inparticular arranged after a dispensing edge of the label printerarranged after the printhead and the counter-element.